ZTR Deck Cleaning - How Do You Clean One?

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by grass guru

I understand it's a res unit, but why they would use such cheap parts and workmanship is beyond me. I bought it about 2 years ago, and it did have the box around the muffler, with the aluminum "heat shield". I'm not sure if it was the muffler that was burning the lawn, or the motor. In either case, all the patterns of burnt lawn were the same. I thought about putting some steel on the bottom to protect the turf, but then again, what is the R&D department at Husqvarna for? I was just so pissed that I had spent $3800 and was having all these problems. It took some persuasion for the dealer to take it back (I had it for about 1 month and put 80 hours on it, the equivalent of 4 years for residential use). That, and the sales rep from Husqvarna was tired of hearing from the dealer about all the problems. If you haven't used it yet, you can always check with the dealer and see if he would exchange it. Never hurts to ask. They just don't want it looking used, and with a bunch of hours on it (although mine did). They might even give you a refund if you wanted to buy one from someone else. Never hurts to ask.

You'll see in my thread linked in the OP that I didn't get it at a dealer, so I'm stuck with it. That's the risk you take with buying a mower in January (4 months before the grass starts to grow) that has a 30 day return policy.
Although, if it's THAT bad right off the bat, I'll raise a stink anyway.

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by Ducke

Yes how dose washing effect the spindles ???

when you spray the deck with the spindles on the heat sucks the water up into the bearing, same thing happens as you drive threw water with the blades on. It will displace and water down the grease, as well as cause rust both shortening the life of your bearings. The same thing happens when you pressure wash directly aimed at the bearings.

[Hedgemaster]

I happened to be near a Tractor Supply today, so I stopped in.

Glad I did because they had two mowers on display with two jacks that they sell. One was the Pro Lift for $149 that was displayed lifting a garden tractor...



The other was the Mowjack EZ for $199 and they had a Cub Cadet ZTR on that...





It was nice to SEE them side by side in use. The Mowjack definitely gives you more clearance and looks to be a better unit overall. I'll still see what I can rig up at home, but eventually, I'l probably end up with a Mowjack.

[Steve]

It will displace and water down the grease, as well as cause rust both shortening the life of your bearings. The same thing happens when you pressure wash directly aimed at the bearings.

That is fascinating! I never even thought of that!

I do wonder how many people take this into consideration and repack those bearings on a regular basis.

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by Steve

That is fascinating! I never even thought of that!

I do wonder how many people take this into consideration and repack those bearings on a regular basis.

I do not know of anyone that repacks spindle bearings, but then again I also do not know of anyone who sets the valves on a briggs engine each year either.

[Hedgemaster]

So are you saying "DON'T hose it off - PERIOD", or just not blast the spindles with excessive water - especially if they are still warm?

I don't know how else you could clean it without a garden hose.

[brian'slawncare]

So are you saying "DON'T hose it off - PERIOD", or just not blast the spindles with excessive water - especially if they are still warm?

I don't know how else you could clean it without a garden hose.

I lift mine up with a jack under the deck. Then, I use a plastic putty knife and something pointy and metal to scrape the underside. I know it may not be "good" for the deck, but it can't be too bad

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

So are you saying "DON'T hose it off - PERIOD", or just not blast the spindles with excessive water - especially if they are still warm?

I don't know how else you could clean it without a garden hose.

washing the deck is fine, just running the blades while spraying water under the deck will cause problems. and lets be honest spraying water under the deck without starting the blades just makes wet moldy grass you have to pull out it does not really help.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by wandfsmall

washing the deck is fine, just running the blades while spraying water under the deck will cause problems. and lets be honest spraying water under the deck without starting the blades just makes wet moldy grass you have to pull out it does not really help.

OK. Makes sense I suppose.

I'd never be able to use the washout port on the ZTR anyway if you have to run the blades for it to work. I have a gravel driveway and that would be a disaster if I turned on the blades there. PING! BANG! TING! PING! BANG! AAAAHHHHHH!!!

I dunno, when I spray my Toro it comes clean. It's really the only way to get it all off. If I don't do it every day, then I have to scrape off a 1/2" of buildup. That's why I wanted to know how you get UNDER there to clean it out. Obviously just bending over and sticking the nozzle under the deck and randomly spraying isn't going to do much, but if you can see where you're spraying, you should be able to get it pretty clean - or at least as free of grass as possible.

Hosing it off makes it easier. I just hate the mushy pile of grass that is left behind. I've yet to solve THAT issue beyond laying down a trash bag to catch some of it and then just throwing it away when the water drains off.



I guess I also need to look into this "Fluid Film" that I've heard mentioned and get some on there before I start using it.